Defense Minister Ehud Barak visited the site where the first Iron Dome battery is stationed in Beersheba on Thursday. Barak admitted that the system cannot provide perfect protection from rockets but promised other batteries will be deployed in the coming years.

"Today the system commences an operational test, which is an extraordinary achievement by Israeli technology and Israel's Air Force," Barak said during the tour. He noted the Iron Dome battery was the first to intercept rockets fired at civilians.

The defense minister nevertheless admitted it was not a perfect solution to Gaza rocket fire. "It’s not a 100% solution," he said. "It would take us several years to obtain additional batteries."

"The face of war is changing. In the past the enemy didn’t have the option of trying to hurt civilians. This is now the reality both during war and routine."

Barak estimated that additional anti-missile systems such as "Magic Wand" and "Super Arrow" will become operational in the next 10 years. During his tour, the defense minister met soldiers stationed at the area.

Air Force Commander Major General Ido Nechushtan also noted the Iron Dome could not provide absolute protection but added that the IDF is working to create multi-layered defense.